BizResearcher | Window Shopper |
9/25/2012 - 12:44 pm

I agree that a well designed web site is a must. You may also want to contact
convention and visitors bureaus throughout the state. They are contacted by
companies from all over the U.S. and internationally that are interested in
holding large events, such as conventions and conferences, in Texas. The CVCs
can put your product in the hands of people who would later order from your
web site. Personally, if I found something like a really unique food item in
your basket, I may purchase more via your web site.

SeattleCPA | Window Shopper |
9/25/2012 - 9:56 am

I actually think a niche-y website is the obvious approach to look at first.

If you can create a site that's really niche-y and so ranks high in the
organic search results for keywords in that niche, you'll probably get enough
traffic to support a small business.

BTW, one thing to keep your eye on if you do this is the Marketplace Fairness
Act (or the other versions of this law). Some people think that one of the
pieces of proposed legislation for a sales tax on Internet sales will arrive
shortly. And that will create new accounting requirements and challenges for
people who sell nationally. Note that the currently proposed "Fairness" act
uses a $500,000 threshold you have to cross in a preceding year in order to
find yourself subject to the sales tax accounting requirements. But once you
get your busines up and going, you might cross this threshold pretty quickly.

mikesperanza | Window Shopper |
9/22/2012 - 8:44 am

I think in order to answer questions like that you have to first take a look
at who your customers are, why are they buying your products, where are they
buying them, what do they do with them, do a marketing segmentation of your
customers.
You're best placed to do that as you know your business. There are few
generic answers when it comes to marketing. Some might give you generic
answers like: sell online, find affiliates, do SEO. But unless you have a
clear understanding of what you're trying to achieve, you'll likely throw
money away.
For example, maybe you need to expand your product range in order to reach
more customers. Rather than gifts for travellers to take back home, why not
expand into a range of funny Texas-themed gifts which people can buy for
birthdays, anniversaries, etc. That will make your products more appealing to
people who wouldn't normally buy a "souvenir" type of gift. That might allow
you to sell in other states or abroad via a website.